History

1873 – 2014: Once upon a time, there once was a modest tavern on the Lake Maggiore shoreline…

The hotelier tradition of the Zacchera family is deeply rooted in the past. More precisely, it dates back to 1873, when Francesco Zacchera decides to open his “Osteria Milanese” tavern. Stresa, Baveno and the other gems of Lake Maggiore are already attracting travellers from all over Europe, but to a great extent, tourism facilities are still in the distant future. Francesco Zacchera has an authentic pioneering spirit. He expands the tavern which becomes the “Locanda Italia” inn; successively, it will be transformed into the elegant Hotel Splendid. Over the years, four generations of the Zacchera family work to safeguard the legacy of their forefather, in spite of the adversities and unexpected turns of history, continuing and developing a hotel business that will evolve to become the first hotel group on Lake Maggiore, one of the most important in Italy. The two World Wars, in particular, the Second World War, heavily scar the shoreline of Lake Maggiore. The fifties are a period of reconstruction and the Zacchera family also swings into action. Eight descendants of Francesco, follow in their uncle’s footsteps and expand the hotel business, by renovating and converting the Locanda Italia inn into the Splendid Hotel; the only hotel in the area directly on the shore of Lake Maggiore, and then by taking over the Simplon Hotel; a four-star facility, encircled by luxuriant, centuries-old parkland. In the following decade, another jewel becomes part of the Zacchera hotel chain: the Grand Hotel Bristol, with its striking winter garden, in a unrivalled position on the Stresa waterfront promenade.The seventies are marked by the acquisition of another remarkable property in Baveno, but are also saddened by the premature death of a family member; Corrado Zacchera, known affectionately as Dino, a descendant of the forebearer, Francesco. As a tribute, the new hotel takes his name; Grand Hotel Dino. The hotel, linked by a unique art gallery to the Hotel Simplon, hosts what is to become one of the most cutting-edge conference venues in Italy, able to accommodate up to one thousand two hundred participants and equipped with the most state-of-the-art technology. In 2001, during renovations, a magnificent and innovative fitness centre; the Dino Health Club is added to the hotel facilities, which together with the private beach, the swimming pool and the magnificent grounds, and the five-a-side football pitch, allow the hotel to offer an extensive range of services, capable of fulfilling even the most diversified needs. Today, the young generations of the Zacchera family are still personally involved in the management of the hotel group. Their presence, politely discrete and professional, can be perceived in the careful and personalized welcome. This success story has been built over time, with humility, vocation and passion, where the care dedicated to customer satisfaction is evident in every single detail and where the legacy of the founder has been nurtured sagaciously brought into the 21st century.

In recognition of its outstanding professional qualities, an expert panel chaired by The Honourable Ombretta Fumagalli has presented the Zacchera family with the 2014 EXCELLENT award for TOURISM. This special accolade is given to leading players in the Italian hotel and tourism industry who seek to bring out the best in everything that Italy has to offer. The following reason was given for the panel’s decision:

‘The Zacchera family of the eponymous group from Baveno and Stresa is a true purveyor of excellence in the hospitality sphere. It devotes unparalleled attention to service and continually strives to enhance its facilities and surroundings with ongoing investments and innovation.’